Jeffrey Donaldson
Sir Jeffrey Mark Donaldson (born 7 December 1962) is a British politician who served as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 2021 to 2024 and leader of the DUP in the UK House of Commons from 2019 to 2024. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lagan Valley since 1997.
The Right Honourable Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 30 June 2021 – 29 March 2024 | |
| Deputy | Paula Bradley Gavin Robinson |
| Preceded by | Edwin Poots |
| Succeeded by | Gavin Robinson (interim) |
| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in the House of Commons | |
| In office 17 December 2019 – 29 March 2024 | |
| Leader | Arlene Foster Edwin Poots Himself |
| Preceded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Succeeded by | Gavin Robinson |
| Democratic Unionist Party Chief Whip in the House of Commons | |
| In office 8 May 2015 – 17 December 2019 | |
| Leader | Nigel Dodds |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Sammy Wilson |
| Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 26 February 2008 – 1 July 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Ian Paisley Jr |
| Succeeded by | Robin Newton |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Lagan Valley | |
| In office 26 November 2003 – 14 June 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick Roche |
| Succeeded by | Paul Givan |
| Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley | |
| Assumed office 1 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Sir James Molyneaux |
| Majority | 6,499 (14.3%) |
| Member of Lisburn City Council | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 5 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Archer |
| Succeeded by | Alan Carlisle |
| Constituency | Lisburn Town South |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Lagan Valley | |
| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Down | |
| In office 1985–1986 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond McCullough |
| Succeeded by | Assembly dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 December 1962 Kilkeel, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent (in parliament) Democratic Unionist Party (suspended) |
| Other political affiliations | Ulster Unionist Party (until 2003) |
| Spouse |
Eleanor Cousins (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Castlereagh College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Ulster Defence Regiment |
Donaldson was a member of the Orange Order and served in the Ulster Defence Regiment during the Troubles. He was also the campaign manager for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MP Enoch Powell's successful re-election campaigns in 1983 and 1986. He was the UUP candidate for Lagan Valley at the 1997 general election, and was elected as an MP to the House of Commons. He simultaneously represented the same constituency as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2003 to 2010. Donaldson is known for his opposition to UUP leader David Trimble's support of the Good Friday Agreement during the Northern Ireland peace process, especially from 1998 to 2003. In 2003, Donaldson resigned from the UUP, becoming a member of the DUP in the following year.
Donaldson served in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2008 to 2009 as a Junior Minister for First Minister Peter Robinson. After Nigel Dodds lost his seat at the 2019 general election, Donaldson became the DUP Westminster leader. He was a candidate in the May 2021 Democratic Unionist Party leadership election, losing to Edwin Poots. After Poots resigned the following month, Donaldson was elected unopposed to succeed Poots in the June DUP leadership election; he was confirmed in the post by the party's ruling executive on 30 June.
In February 2022, the Northern Ireland Executive collapsed due to DUP protests against the Northern Ireland Protocol. Donaldson was once again elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 Assembly election, but he subsequently chose to remain as a Westminster MP, with Emma Little-Pengelly instead taking his seat. Donaldson opposed the Windsor Framework announced by the Sunak government in February 2023 and, for 22 months, Donaldson refused to nominate a deputy First Minister to restore Stormont. In February 2024, the Northern Ireland Executive was restored after a deal was agreed by Donaldson with Sunak's government.
In March 2024, he stepped down as leader of the DUP having been charged with rape and historical sexual offences, triggering a leadership election. The party also suspended his membership. Donaldson said that he would strenuously contest the criminal charges.